Could red wine be good for the teeth?

There is a potential link between dental health and drinking red wine, according to research by scientists in Spain.

A study conducted by M Victoria Moreno-Arribas and colleagues examined the possible connection between wine and tackling tooth decay.

The researchers discovered that red wine may help to prevent cavities by slowing the growth of bacteria that can form biofilms in the mouth, making them difficult to kill.

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Communities of bacteria produce plaque and acid, which can cause damage to teeth.

Publishing their findings in the American Chemical Society's Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, the scientists said that the study 'could lead to the development of natural products that ward off dental diseases with fewer side effects'.

The experiment saw a biofilm created using bacteria known to cause dental diseases, which was then dipped into a series of liquids.

Red wine and grape seed extract were both found to halt bacterial growth on the teeth, potentially protecting against decay, while the alcohol in wine was not found to affect the results.

It is believed to be the polyphenols in wine that prevent the bacteria streptococcus mutans from making glucans from sugar that enable them to stick to teeth and erode the surface. However, white wine is not an effective substitute when it comes to dental health because of its high acid content.

Dental diseases are a global problem, with between 60 and 90 per cent of the world's population thought to experience cavities, tooth loss or periodontal disease. Current methods of combating bacterial plaques can have limited effects or put consumers off using them for the required period.

Drinking red wine in moderation has already been linked to a wide range of health benefits because of the antioxidants it contains, including protecting against heart disease, diabetes and stroke, reducing bad cholesterol and combating obesity.

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